Rallying-Saudi Arabia's Al-Rajhi takes maiden Dakar crown, Sanders wins in motorcycle category

Rallying - Dakar Rally - Stage 12 - Shubaytah to Shubaytah - Saudi Arabia - January 17, 2025 Overdrive Racing's Yazeed Al-Rajhi and Timo Gottschalk celebrate with Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al-Abdullah Al-Faisal, President of Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation after winning in the car category REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed

SHUBAYTAH, SAUDI ARABIA (Reuters) -Local hero Yazeed Al-Rajhi secured his first Dakar title on Friday, finishing the 12-stage rally almost four minutes ahead of his closest competitor Henk Lategan, while Red Bull KTM's Daniel Sanders maintained his lead to win in the motorcycle category.

South Africa's Lategan, who lost his lead on Thursday and was trailing Al-Rajhi by over six minutes at the start of stage 12 in Shubaytah, made a fast start but was unable to catch up with the Saudi Arabian in the shorter 61 km (38 miles) special.